Jump to content

Spiderbait

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spiderbait
Spiderbait in 2009
Background information
Also known asCandy Spuds, Spiderbaby
OriginFinley, New South Wales,Australia
Genres
Years active
  • 1989–present
Labels
MembersJanet English
Kram
Damian Whitty
Websitespiderbait.net.au

Spiderbaitis an Australianalternative rockband fromFinley, New South Wales,formed in 1989 by bass guitarist and singer Janet English, drummer and singerKram,and guitarist Damian Whitty. In 2004, the group's cover version of the 1930sLead Bellysong "Black Betty"reached number one on theARIA Singles Chart.They have five top 20 albums:The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake(1995),Ivy and the Big Apples(1996),Grand Slam(1999),Tonight Alright(2004), andGreatest Hits(2005). The group have won twoARIA Music Awardswith the first in 1997 as 'Best Alternative Release' forIvy and the Big Applesand the second in 2000 as 'Best Cover-Art' for their single "Glockenpop".In November 2013, the band released its first studio album in nine years,Spiderbait.

History[edit]

1989–1994: Early years[edit]

In 1989, Janet English on bass guitar and lead vocals,Mark Maher(better known as Kram) on lead vocals and drums, and Damian Whitty (or "Whitt" ) on guitar, began performing together.[2][3]All grew up in the small town of Finley in southern New South Wales where Kram and hissecond cousinWhittyjammedtogether as schoolboys.[4][5]With English on board, early rehearsals were held in sheds or barns, Kram later recalled: "we were shithouse! We were so bad... I mean Janet had never played a note of music in her life".[5][6]Kram taught English to play bass.[3]Initial gigs included a friend's party as an unnamed band where they played "Freak Scene" and anAC/DCsong.[4]They performed at the combined 21st birthday party for Kram and Whitty under the name Candy Spuds.[4][6]They used that name for only one gig and then used Spiderbaby.[4][7]

In 1990, the trio moved toMelbourne,where Kram was studying at theVictorian College of the ArtsSchool of Music.[4]They soon became part of Melbourne'spunkscene, playing gigs at venues likeThe Tote HotelinCollingwood.[8]Fellow alternative rockersThe Meanieswere an early influence and helped the band get gigs and a recording contract.[9]They signed withAu-Go-Go Recordsand were renamed as Spiderbait – Spiderbaby was already being used by an American band.[7]Spiderbait released their first single, "Circle K", in 1991.[2][10]A seven-track EP titledP'tang Yang Kipper Bang Uh!(named after the 1982Michael Aptedtelemovie,P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang) followed in January 1992, displaying thethrash-likehardcore punkof their early live gigs.[2][11]During 1992 they supported United States groupsRollins BandandBeastie Boyson their tour of Australia.[2]

Spiderbait's first album,Shashavaglava,was released in May 1993.[2][10]'Šašava glava' (written as Шашава Глава) means 'crazy head' inSerbianor possibly 'dickhead'.[4][12]The album included all the tracks fromP'tang Yang Kipper Bang Uh!and featured the songs "Old Man Sam", in which the film clip featured Kram’s brother Adam doing donuts in his car and Kram’s Grandpa, and a cover of English comediansThe Goodies' song "Run".[2]Allmusic's David Colon found the album "agitating" where its "thrashing and pounding may be meant to energize, but in the end, only enervates."[11]"Run" was released as a CD single in March 1994 and was followed by "Jesus".[2]The group supported US bandPrimuson their Australia 1994 tour.[2]

1995–1998: Major-label-signing and side-projects[edit]

In 1995, Spiderbait was signed toPolydor Recordsby Craig Kamber - who also worked withPowderfingerandUnderground Lovers- and released its second album,The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake,in October.[2]The album reached number 14 on the Australian charts,[13]with singles "Monty"(September) and" Jesus "receiving extensive airplay on radio stationTriple J.[2]The album title refers to a then-unfinished project by the Finley community,[2]an artificially-made lake included a replica sailing ship.[14]Spiderbait played to predominantly under-18 audiences.[4]At theARIA Music Awards of 1996,the album received two nominations: 'Best Alternative Release', and 'Best Cover Art' for English and George Stajsic.[15][16]

Their third album,Ivy and the Big Apples,was issued in October 1996 and reached number 3,[13]and by 1997 had received 2× Platinum certification byAustralian Recording Industry Association(ARIA) for shipments of over 140,000 units in Australia.[17]Their next single, "Buy Me a Pony",received extensive airplay onTriple J,resulting in listeners voting it as their favourite song in theHottest 100 of 1996– making Spiderbait the first Australian group to achieve this.[2]In October 1996, the group toured Canada and played gigs in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle in the US.[2]The album's third single, "Calypso",also achieved commercial airplay, and reached number 13 in the ARIA Singles Chart in June 1997.[2][13]It was featured in the 1999 film10 Things I Hate About Youduring the scene where the character of Kat (played byJulia Stiles) is reading the novelThe Bell JarbySylvia Plath.[18]At theARIA Music Awards of 1997the group received seven nominations, but withSavage Gardendominating the ceremony and winning ten awards, Spiderbait only captured the 'Best Alternative Release' category forIvy and the Big Apples.[15][19]

In early 1998, English and her then-boyfriendQuan Yeomans(ofRegurgitator) formed a side-project,Happyland(originally called The Shits), which released their only album,Welcome to Happyland,on Polydor in September.[2][4][20]English provided cover art work and 3-D animated videos for Regurgitator releases.[21]By 2000 the couple and Happyland had split.[22]Also in 1998, Kram and Richie Lewis ofTumbleweedformed a side-project,Hot Rollers– so named as both member's mothers were hairdressers.[2][23]Their only album,The Hot Rollers,was issued in July through Polydor.[2][23]

1999–2004:Grand SlamtoTonight alright[edit]

Spiderbait reconvened in June 1998 to record the albumGrand Slam.[2]They toured Japan in October 1998 and supported the Beastie Boys in February 1999.[2]The album, produced byPaul McKercher(who had also producedYou Am IandCold Chisel), was issued in April,[2][10]and debuted at number 10.[13]"Shazam!"was released as a single in February, which reached the top 50. It was featured in a 2001 episode ofSex and the Cityentitled "The Real Me"as part of a fashion show scene. In 2009, it was used in promotional advertising for theA-League.At theARIA Music Awards of 1999the group received five nominations.[15][24]

Despite good airplay for theGrand Slamsingles "Stevie" (May) and "Glokenpop"(January 2000), neither charted in the top 50.[13]At theARIA Music Awards of 2000the group received two nominations and English won 'Best Cover Art' for her work on "Glokenpop".[15][25]Their 2001dance-influenced albumThe Flight of Wally Funkwas less successful than their previous three albums, although it reached the Top 40.[13]It was recorded mostly in Whitty's living room.[4]

Spiderbait recorded theTonight Alrightalbum inWeed, CAwith engineersJosh KiserandRichard Veltrop,producerSylvia Massy(Red Hot Chili Peppers,R.E.M.,Tool,System of a Down,Skunk Anansie).[4][9][26]The songs had been written and demoed at Whitty's home in North Melbourne with English and Kram cycling in from nearby suburbs.[3]The album's first single, "Black Betty",was released in early March 2004.[27]It was a cover version of the 1930sLead Bellysong which was a hit in 1977 when covered byRam Jam.[4][9]Spiderbait's version reached number one after 10 weeks in the singles chart in May 2004, and stayed there for three weeks, becoming their biggest selling single ever.[27][28][29]By the end of the year, "Black Betty" received 2× Platinum certification.[30]In the US, it reached the top 40 onBillboard'sMainstream RockSingles Chart.[31]The film clip featured a hot rod similar to the car on the cover of theZZ TopalbumEliminator.The song also made the soundtrack to theElectronic Artsvideo gamesNeed for Speed: Underground 2andNeed for Speed: Underground Rivalsfor the PSP.

Tonight Alrightwas released in March 2004 and debuted at number 14 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[4][13]The secondsingle,"Fucken Awesome",reached the top 30 in June.[13]From May, the group toured supportingHoodoo Gurus,followed by their own tour to United Kingdom and US.[9]Interscope Recordssigned the band in 2004 to distributeTonight Alrightin the US and UK.[4][32]At theARIA Music Awards of 2004,Kram performed as part of the super-groupThe Wrights,which also featured members ofPowderfinger,The Living End,You Am I,Jet,Grinspoon,andDallas Crane.[33][34]

2005–2012: On hiatus[edit]

After touring in support ofTonight AlrightSpiderbait went on hiatus to concentrate on solo projects and their personal lives – although periodically returning for occasional gigs.[4]In March 2005, English gave birth to a daughter.[35]In September, Spiderbait released a compilation album,Greatest Hits,[4]which debuted at number 6.[13]According to their official website, they had discovered that newer fans were unaware of their material before "Black Betty".[36]

In October 2005, Spiderbait performed atRod Laver Arenain Melbourne, as part of the Coca-Cola Live'n'Local Tour '05.[37]In November 2006, the band performed at the "Queensland Council of Unions"-organized Rock the Vote! concert inBrisbane.[38]

The band recorded a cover of "Ghost Riders in the Sky"as the main theme for the filmGhost Rider(2007), starringNicolas Cage.A small excerpt is played during the film, and then in its entirety as the first song when the credits roll. The band's song "Glokenpop"is featured in the 2009 gameLittleBigPlanetfor thePlayStation Portable.[39]Kram released his debut solo album,Mix Tape,in March 2009.[40]In 2010,Magnapop's albumChase Parkfeatured a cover of Spiderbait's song "Jesus" fromThe Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake.In December of that year, they supportedGuns N' Rosesat a Sydney gig.[41]The band recorded a cover of "Rock-a-Bye Your Bear" for the compilationReWiggled - A Tribute to the Wiggles.[42]

2013–2021: End of hiatus and self-titled album[edit]

In an interview with Triple J in February 2013, Kram announced that Spiderbait were in the studio, working on their first album in seven years, saying "We're doing a new record and we're about halfway through. We're just writing demos at the moment and it's coming along well. We're back in our Motorhead and Metallica metal phase—I'm all double kick at the moment."[43]

The self-titled album,Spiderbait,was released on 15 November 2013. The band played a gig on the same day, for the opening night of the Jam Gallery, a new music venue in Bondi Junction.[44]

2022:Sounds in the Key of J[edit]

On 11 March 2022, the band released "My Car's a UFO", their first new song in nine years. The track was initially recorded forThe Flight of Wally Funkand served as the lead single from the band's third compilation album,Sounds in the Key of J—which collects every Spiderbait song that Janet English sings lead vocals on. The compilation was released on 8 April 2022, with a supporting tour that followed that July.[45]

Discography[edit]

Main article:Spiderbait discography

Members[edit]

  • Janet English -bass guitar,lead and backing vocals
  • Mark "Kram"Maher - lead and backing vocals,drums
  • Damian "Whit" Whitty –guitar,programming, beats, backing and occasional lead vocals

Awards and nominations[edit]

ARIA Awards[edit]

TheARIA Music Awardsis an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres ofAustralian music.They commenced in 1987. Spiderbait have won two awards from nineteen nominations forAustralian Recording Industry Association(ARIA)Awards.[15]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake Best Alternative Release[16] Nominated
The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake– Janet English, George Stajsic Best Cover Art[16] Nominated
1997 Ivy and the Big Apples Album of the Year[19] Nominated
Best Alternative Release[19] Won
Best Group[19] Nominated
Ivy and the Big Apples– Janet English Best Cover Art[19] Nominated
Ivy and the Big Apples– Phil McKellar Engineer of the Year[19] Nominated
"Buy Me a Pony" Single of the Year[19] Nominated
"Calypso"– Janet English Best Video[19] Nominated
1999 Grand Slam Album of the Year[24] Nominated
Best Alternative Release[24] Nominated
Grand Slam– Janet English, George Stajsic Best Cover Art[24] Nominated
Grand Slam– Phil McKellar Engineer of the Year[24] Nominated
Producer of the Year[24] Nominated
2000 "Glokenpop" Best Pop Release[25] Nominated
"Glockenpop" – Janet English Best Cover Art[25] Won
2004 Tonight Alright Best Rock Album[46] Nominated
"Black Betty" Highest Selling Single[46] Nominated
"Black Betty" – Paul Butler, Scott Walton (50/50) Best Video[46] Nominated

References[edit]

General
  • Craig Mathieson (September 1997).Hi Fi Days: The Future of Australian Rock.St Leonards, New South Wales:Allen & Unwin.ISBN978-1-86448-232-4.[47]
  • McFarlane, Ian(1999)."Whammo Homepage".Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop.St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.ISBN978-1-86508-072-7.Archived fromthe originalon 5 April 2004.Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
Specific
  1. ^"Spiderbait announce Australian tour celebrating Sounds In The Key of J".Double J.Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 April 2022.Retrieved27 December2022.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstMcFarlane,'Spiderbait'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 3 August 2004. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  3. ^abcMathieson, Kram (26 March 2004)."Storm Warning".The Age.Fairfax Media.
  4. ^abcdefghijklmnoNimmervoll, Ed."Spiderbait".Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2002.Retrieved22 January2014.
  5. ^ab"Spiderbait".MusicMight.RockDetector.Retrieved3 September2011.
  6. ^ab"Kram Gets Fishy".TheDwarf.com.au (The Dwarf).Retrieved3 September2011.
  7. ^abFailla, Annemarie (October 2001)."Spiderbait - Oct 2001".Girl.com.au (Trellian).Retrieved4 September2011.
  8. ^Fitzsimmons, Hamish (19 January 2010)."VIC Liquor Laws Force Iconic Pub to Close"(transcript).7:30 Report.Australian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC).
  9. ^abcd"Spiderbait Interview (with Janet)".WHAMMO Interviews.Worldwide Home of Australasian Music and More Online (WHAMMO). 31 May 2004. Archived fromthe originalon 10 October 2004.
  10. ^abcHolmgren, Magnus."Spiderbait".Australian Rock Database.Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived fromthe originalon 10 October 2012.Retrieved13 February2014.
  11. ^abColon, David."ShaShaVaGlavameaning the art of the tight skin in ancient Aramaic – Spiderbait ".Allmusic.Rovi Corporation.Retrieved3 September2011.
  12. ^According to Google translator: Шашава Глава (shashava glava) isSerbianfor 'looney head'. Seehere.Whereas, 'crazy head' is луда глава (luda glava). Seehere.
  13. ^abcdefghi"Discography Spiderbait".Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien).Retrieved4 September2011.
  14. ^"Finley – Places to See".The Sydney Morning Herald.Fairfax Media.1 January 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 8 November 2012.
  15. ^abcde"Artist: Spiderbait".Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA).Retrieved5 September2011.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^abc"Winners by Year 1996: 10th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 14 December 2007.Retrieved4 September2011.
  17. ^"ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 1997 Albums".Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA).Retrieved4 September2011.
  18. ^Henderson, Scott."Hollywood Musical".Au-Cinema Films (WordPress.com). Archived fromthe originalon 31 March 2012.Retrieved4 September2011.
  19. ^abcdefgh"Winners by Year 1997: 11th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 26 September 2007.Retrieved4 September2011.
  20. ^Holmgren, Magnus."Happyland".Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived fromthe originalon 10 October 2012.Retrieved13 February2014.
  21. ^Andrew Stafford (May 2006).Pig City: From the Saints to Savage Garden.Brisbane,Qld: University of Queensland Press. p. 281.ISBN978-0-7022-3561-0.
  22. ^"Friday Flashback: Week One:Unitby Regurgitator ".RipItUp.Rip It Up Publishing. 6 May 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2014.
  23. ^ab"Hot Rollers".Howlspace.Wollongong Bands Home.Retrieved4 September2011.
  24. ^abcdef"Winners by Year 1999: 13th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2011.Retrieved4 September2011.
  25. ^abc"Winners by Year 2000: 14th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 26 September 2007.Retrieved4 September2011.
  26. ^"Spiderbait".Music Australia.National Library of Australia.30 June 2004.
  27. ^ab"Spiderbait -" Black Betty "".Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien).Retrieved16 May2018.
  28. ^"Spiderbait" Black Betty "".Top40-charts.com.
  29. ^Scatena, Dino (24 April 2004)."Spiderbait Finds Success".The Age.Fairfax Media.
  30. ^"ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Singles".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2009.Retrieved6 September2011.
  31. ^""Black Betty" – Spiderbait –BillboardSingles ".Allmusic. Rovi Corporation.Retrieved6 September2011.
  32. ^"Tonight Alright– Spiderbait ".Allmusic. Rovi Corporation.Retrieved4 September2011.
  33. ^Rogers, Christina; Peach, Stephen; Small, Lynne (June 2008)."PPCA Licensor Profile".In the Loop.Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Limited (PPCA).Retrieved4 September2011.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^Donovan, Patrick (29 September 2006)."Jet Propelled".The Age.Fairfax Media.
  35. ^"Industry News – Lifelines".dB magazine.No. 385. 10 May 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 3 September 2006.
  36. ^"Spiderbait – Bio".Spiderbait Official Website. Archived fromthe originalon 4 August 2011.Retrieved4 September2011.
  37. ^Dwyer, Michael (6 October 2005)."Coke Live 'N Local".The Age.Fairfax Media.
  38. ^"Rock the Vote Concert Draws a 5000+ Crowd".Australian Workers' Union.25 November 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 31 March 2012.
  39. ^"Glokenpop Videos".NME.IPC Media(Time Inc.).Retrieved5 September2011.
  40. ^"Special Guests – Episode 7 – Kram – Musician and Funky Mover".Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation.Network Ten(Ten Network Holdings).Archivedfrom the original on 2 March 2011.Retrieved4 September2011.
  41. ^McCabe, Kath (3 December 2010)."Spiderbait Gunnin' for Action".The Daily Telegraph.News Limited(News Corporation).
  42. ^"ReWiggled - A Tribute to the Wiggles".ABC Shop.Retrieved28 September2014.
  43. ^"Spiderbait to record new album".Triple J.8 November 2011.Retrieved28 February2013.
  44. ^Spiderbait to headline Sydney's brand new live music venueArchived25 November 2013 at theWayback Machine,spiderbait.com.au, 4 November 2013.
  45. ^"Spiderbait share first new song in nine years," My Car's a UFO "".NME.11 March 2022.Retrieved14 March2022.
  46. ^abc"Winners by Year 2004: 18th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2008.Retrieved6 September2011.
  47. ^"Hi fi days: the future of Australian rock / Craig Mathieson".catalogue.National Library of Australia.Retrieved7 September2011.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toSpiderbait.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spiderbait&oldid=1232497925"